Books, Authors and multiple genres. To promote, encourage and discover authors for the book-aholic in all of us.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

About the Book

Book: Darcy by Any Other Name

Author: Laura Hile

Genre: Historical Christian Romance, Regency

Release Date: May 13, 2016

Discover the Pride and Prejudice body-swap romance that has readers laughing in surprise and delight.

For most, this is a glorious evening of music and dancing. But out in the garden two men are arguing, while a ferocious rainstorm swirls round. And then the unthinkable happens: a lightning bolt from heaven strikes. In that instant everything changes.

Jane Austen’s heartthrob hero becomes the bumbling Reverend Collins. Shorn of his fortune, his social standing, and his good looks, Mr. Darcy is trapped in Mr. Collins’ body. And Mr. Collins wakes up to discover that he is master of Pemberley.

Could there be anything worse?
But the inner man is still Darcy. He is in love with Elizabeth Bennet. And now he is living in her house.

If you enjoy a smart, sparkling Regency romp in the classic “Heyeresque” style, then you will love Laura Hile’s Darcy By Any Other Name.

About the Author

My journey as a writer began with the Internet. And with Jane Austen.

How is that for an unlikely combination?

I have always loved classic Regency romances. You know the kind – with a dashing, honorable hero and a lovely, intelligent heroine. Delicious banter, unexpected plot twists, humor, and a happy ending. If faith is woven into the story, so much the better.

When I discovered an online forum for Jane Austen-related fiction, I was hooked. With Jane’s characters for inspiration, I began writing and posting serialized Regency stories. To keep readers coming back for more, I developed my signature style: intertwined plots, cliffhangers, and laugh-out-loud humor.

The comedy I come by in my job as a middle school teacher—there’s never a dull moment with teens!

I live in Beaverton, Oregon with my husband.

More from Laura

I see that double-take you just did. Darcy By Any Other Name is a what? A Pride and Prejudice body-swap romance? Seriously?

Indeed yes. And it’s a really fun read. I blame my sense of humor. And the fact that I think too much.

Here’s the thing: we women are captivated by Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy—we are! Handsome, aloof, and wealthy, he embodies the perfect male. By comparison, the ordinary guy has no chance. (And heaven help the fellow who is plain!)

Yet we know that attraction involves more than good looks and a fat wallet.

I began to play with this thought. Because Mr. Darcy is also honorable, intelligent, kind, and funny—qualities that transform an ugly man and capture a woman’s interest. The shared smile, the twinkle in the eyes, the finishing of her sentences. These are endearing! These are why we women fall in love!

Once the body swap idea showed up, I knew I had struck story gold. Will Darcy-as-Collins capture Elizabeth Bennet’s heart?

No, wait! She cannot fall for him because he’s the wrong man—no, the right man! But he’s in that podgy body! She cannot love Mr. Darcy when he’s—ugly! Can she?

Ah, but of course she can. Now what?

Think of Darcy By Any Other Name as a happy roller coaster ride. And you know what they say about those: “Get in, sit down, and hold on.”

Do leave a comment and enter the giveaway. I think you will enjoy this fun, romantic book.

Looking at this book as I began to read was very overwhelming at first. The book has over six hundred pages which I thought was going to be a very long story with unnecessary parts that could have been left out. I learned a lesson after a few pages. We all know the saying, "Never judge a book by its cover, " which is what I had already done without opening the book.

I am happy to say I was wrong in my judgment and quickly turned page after page because the story is very well written. The characters become alive as the author breathes importance into each character with gifted words. I began to forget everything around me and was transported to a time where ballrooms where used to find a companion to dance with and perhaps get noticed by the well to do. The music played as the couples swayed with the beat.

Welcome to a story that is not what it seems. Two characters change bodies and off we go into a world where laughter, love and shenanigans abound. Have you ever said you wished you were more like so and so? In this story two characters will have the opportunity to see how the other is treated and what people think of them. It is a wonderful play on a Jane Austen book with characters that experience the ups and downs of the wealthy .

There are quite a few funny moments that are highlights in the book. The frustration of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins is an Oscar winning performance. The author delivers a tale where the unexpected is at every turn. Along the way the two men learn valuable lessons which change their outlook on life. Wealth plays a part in the story as the author shows the characters looking at life in a different way.

Love is in the air in this funny take on a classic novel. Who will end up with whom? Will Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins return to their own bodies? Get ready for an adventure that explores the transformation of two men as they realize what is really important in life. Oh how I loved the devotion Darcy had for Elizabeth. But does Elizabeth like Darcy or Mr. Collins? The twists are a treat and the author delivers a powerful story of what ifs. I enjoyed the story and needless to say, the book never felt long like my first reaction was. It does move at a good pace and you quickly immerse yourself in hoping for happiness as love is sprinkled among the characters.

I received a copy of this book by Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Book

Book: A Promise to Break

Author: Kathryn Spurgeon

Genre: Christian Historical

Release Date: July 11, 2016

SIBYL TRIMBLE, the daughter of a wealthy banking family during the Great Depression in Shawnee, Oklahoma, promises her father to be part of a political movement to change the world. By 1932, the timing to fulfill that promise seems right. Her life consists of fashionable clothes, cruising in a Model T, and dancing every weekend at the local speakeasy.

FREMONT POPE is a handsome, blue-eyed, down-on-his-luck hobo, and Sibyl’s life turns

upside down when she meets him. Her love for him and his Christian family opens her eyes to a different way of life than she has ever known.

Based on a true story, this historical novel follows Sibyl through some difficult choices. She must dig deep within herself to find strength to face her father and determine which, if any, of her past beliefs can be salvaged. What is more important, love or duty?

About the Author

A Christian writer, Biblical counselor, teacher and speaker who offers insight, the author loves connecting to people individually and through retreats and conferences.

Kathryn’s mission is to teach that the passion of godly love knows no boundaries. Whether with prisoners, international students or those needing assistance, her platform strategy is the concept of personal, intimate encounters with Jesus. Her historical novel, “Up Town,” shows the importance of spiritual encounters with Jesus—small encounters that lead to a more mature spiritual life. Kathryn’s Biblical counseling and teaching background lends itself to this message.

She lived in South Korea for two years in her early twenties, spent time in an orphanage and adopted two Korean babies. A single mom for 18 years, she went from welfare to owner and CEO of a multimillion dollar corporation, Integrity Healthy Care. Her company took care of the medical needs of over 4,000 prisoners and during that time she counseled over 200 women.

Kathryn and her husband, Bill, hold Bible studies for international students attending the University of Central Oklahoma. They have had many different students live in their home and try to help students in all areas of their lives.

Kathryn is on the Mission Team at her home church, Henderson Hills Baptist Church, in Edmond, Oklahoma, where she has been a member for over 13 years. While attending her prior church, Country Estates Baptist Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma, she was on the Finance and Long Range Planning Committees, and taught DivorceCare and Financial classes. She is a Crown Money Map coach.

Bill and Kathryn have six children and nine grandchildren at the last count, including some adopted. Their family is internationally diverse. God’s love is enormous and includes all of us.

More from Kathryn

Nostalgic book

Have you ever wished to go back in time and question a relative who is no longer around? Ask what motivated her, discuss her greatest heartaches and how she overcame them, analyze her spiritual journey?

My grandmother’s life was full of upheavals and I wish I could have spent more time with her and studied her thought-processes. My mother did spend more time with her. With a clear mind of that time, Mom (and many others) enthusiastically shared memories and discussed the lessons the once wealthy Sibyl Trimble may have gathered in life.

What a trip it has been! Autobiographies. Publications. Notes in attic boxes containing information about secret love affairs and heart-breaking losses told with spiritual honesty. The more information I uncovered, the more I wanted to get to know Sibyl Trimble, the person. I wanted to know how God worked in her life. I wanted to write her story.

The nostalgic era of the 1930s came alive to me as I travelled to places of lively, boogie-woogie music, old handwritten documents, and tombstones. The amazing, booming town of Shawnee, Oklahoma, was the perfect setting for a Great Depression tale. Some people moved to California during that time. Others stayed in Shawnee. In contrast to “The Grapes of Wrath,” this book relates the experiences of some who remained during one of the worst times in U.S. history. They stayed and thrived.

This book is not a recount of simple facts but examines the essence of a brilliant woman who traversed through life, maneuvering the hardships along with the blessings. I uncovered anecdotes, read newspaper articles, and confirmed family lore that had been passed down through generations.

Many readers agree Sibyl could have been their grandmother, their heritage, and after reading this book series, they will know Sibyl almost as well as I do.

This story is an intimate look at a searching individual during the wistful days of a long-gone era. I expect, after you read “A Promise to Break,” you’ll agree that Sibyl Trimble’s story needed to be told.

I enjoyed the setting of the book in the 1920's to early 1930's. The author gives readers a nice look at what it was like during the depression era. The story takes place in Oklahoma where my granddad homesteaded. I remember him telling me stories about how hard it was when he worked his farm trying to survive. He lived in a small town where the people knew each other and tried to help each other out.

When I make a promise I try never to break it because my integrity is very important to me. Sibyl adored her father and tried to always please him. I found it fascinating that the book was based on a true story . The author describes a family that has a comfortable living even though the depression was hitting hard. Sybil and her siblings didn't seem to do without and had a carefree live. That all changes as the politics start to take over and her father strays from his commitment to family.

The story is based around a promise that Sybil makes to her father. She makes it not thinking she will ever have to actually follow through with her vow. I found her father to be quite arrogant at times and very judgmental of others. His lack of sympathy for the poor made me angry. He was very demanding and wanted his family to obey him without question. There are flaws in the family structure as Sybil starts to question her father and his political beliefs.

I found myself invested in the story and loved how the author writes a story with transparency and exposes the breakdown of a marriage. When Sybil goes against her father's wishes to marry someone, that seemed to be the beginning of the breakdown in father/daughter relationship. Sybil has always done what her father wanted and to disobey him was unthinkable. Her father does take a detour and completely changes the dynamics of a close family. All he seemed to be worried about what his reputation.

The highlight for me in the story was Fremont. What he lacked financially, he made up for with his deep faith. I loved reading how his and Sybil's relationship developed and how he helped her find her way back to God. The story talks about greed, family, power and how important it is to listen to God. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

About the Book

Book: Trapped

Author: Lillian Duncan

Genre: Romantic Suspense (Christian)/Stand Alone

Release Date: September 27, 2019

Angelina Matthews has everything—rich, famous and beautiful—until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a madman, wearing only a T-shirt. The dirt is his—the blood is hers. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God. Help comes in the form of Nate Goodman. When their paths cross months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped—not in a basement but in the memories she can’t escape. Nate knows all about being trapped—and getting un-trapped. As an ex-Chicago cop he’s had his own demons to wrestle, but his faith helped him to move forward. He reaches out to Angelina whose paranoid delusions have her trapped still. But are they delusions?

About the Author

Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

More from Lillian

TRAPPED is my latest suspense novel. And suspenseful, it is! With just the right about of romance to make it even better.

You can’t help but love Nate Goodman—small-town policeman, believer in truth, justice, and Jesus—comes back home to the sleepy town of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio to work because nothing ever happens—until it does.

Angelina Matthews has everything. She’s rich, famous and beautiful until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a madman. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God.

Help comes in the form of Nate Goodman.

When their paths cross months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped, not in a basement but in the memories she can’t escape. As an ex-Chicago policeman, Nate knows all about being trapped—and getting un-trapped so he reaches out to help. Between the two of them, they have more than their fair share of problems. But that’s what makes the story exciting.

I have a philosophy when it comes to writing. If I find it boring so will the readers! That means I cut out the boring parts and focus on the action. I loved writing this story with all its twists and turns.

Reading the first few pages of this book made me want to run and hide. The author sent chills down my spine as Angelina lay on a bed tied up. Her abductor is pure evil and the emotional and physical abuse she goes through is hard to read. I loved how the author didn't hold back as she described the toil taken on Angelina's mental health.

Angelina is somewhat of a star because of her wealth. She always lived her life without boundaries and tossed her wealth around as if taunting less fortunate people. They say money can't buy you happiness and Angelina learns a hard lesson regarding that one statement. Her rescue was action packed and gives us a hero named Nate. His determination to save Angelina is worthy of a medal.

Angelina has a long journey ahead of her as she is diagnosed with PTSD. For personal reasons the story was hard for me to read. The good news is this book actually helped me because the author takes Angelina to a support group. There she experiences God like never before. I could easily relate to her struggles and how uncomfortable she felt at the meeting. The people in the group are compassionate and I loved how they welcomed her with love and support. What better place to learn about trust and forgiveness than a place where people don't judge and encourage you with scriptures and friendship.

The author has a few surprises waiting for us in the story which makes for more intrigue and shows how greed can turn a person into following the evil of this world. I loved how Angelina slowly begins to desire a real relationship with God. The scriptures scattered through out the book helps readers understand how God is always there even in our darkest hours.

For those who have been through a traumatic event sometimes we let our mind wander and allow ourselves to feel trapped. We can't get past what happened and we allow that experience to kidnap our existence. This is where we find Angelina as she struggles to be set from her thoughts that keep her isolated from everyone. The title of this book is perfect as it is not just about a kidnapping but the after effects that trap a young woman into feeling useless, not important and deserving of what happened to her. The author has a great way of turning a tragedy into overcoming and being set free.

I loved when one of the people in the support group said, " Don't let whatever happened to you in the past steal your future from you." With the help of God and people surrounding her, will Angelina let go and find freedom and peace? Can she let go of fear and learn to trust God?

This has been one of the best books I've read about PTSD. The author is knowledgeable on this topic and has helped me come to terms with issues from my past that have kept me captive and allowed fear to take over my life. This book goes on my list of top picks for 2019.

"He restoreth my soul." Psalm 23:3

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.